Packaging and building materials made from coconut waste

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet.

In the green building industry there is currently no bio-based paneling board made from 100% natural bio based fibers without added resin (glues), let alone a 100% natural flame retardant panel.
Deforestation: The rate of deforestation in Ghana is estimated to be one of the highest in the world after Togo and Nigeria .At an estimated annual rate of 2%, equivalent to 135,000 hectares per annum
Urea formaldehyde used as synthetic binder in wood based panel board has health related risks such as cancer, leukemia, watery eyes, burning sensation of the (eyes, nose and throat), coughing, nausea and skin irritation on the end users or customers.

Ecovon has categorized the target market in to two segments:
 Domestic/ individual home developers with age (25-64).
Total addressable market- 4billion+ individual customers, served available market - 10million+ individual customers, serviceable obtainable market- 100,000 individual customers
 Industries and small-scale enterprises (5069+)
Ghana Real Estate Association (GREDA)-169, Furniture and Wood Products Association of Ghana (FAWAG)-2,400, Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE)- 2,500, Total addressable market- 200million+ enterprises, Served available market - 5,069+ enterprises, Serviceable obtainable market- 500 enterprises

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet. Ecovon will bring the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product to market which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added binders (glues). The physical properties are better than comparable engineered woods on the market currently, all which use additives and heavy chemicals to reach additional flame retardant properties while reducing our CO2 footprint, deforestation and enriching the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana. The board material has been shown to exhibit excellent properties, which are comparable with or even superior to commercial wood based panels. Our product is stronger and more durable, priced considerably less, and greener. Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant and this helps the raw material to bind into a hard board without the addition of any damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood. The method is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The residual material of the coconut is used in its entirety. It is a good alternative to wood and helps to prevent deforestation. During production, glue and chemical agents do not need to be added. Furthermore, the production is CO2 neutral. It is inexpensive. The glue that has to be added when boards based on wood fibre are made contributes to one third of the total production costs. Glue is not required to process coconut husk into board material. It can form an extra source of income for farmers in developing countries

Ecovon will bring the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product to market which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added binders (glues). The physical properties are better than comparable engineered woods on the market currently, all which use additives and heavy chemicals to reach additional flame retardant properties while reducing our CO2 footprint, deforestation and enriching the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana. The board material has been shown to exhibit excellent properties, which are comparable with or even superior to commercial wood based panels. Our product is stronger and more durable, priced considerably less, and greener. Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant and this helps the raw material to bind into a hard board without the addition of any damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood. The method is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The residual material of the coconut is used in its entirety. It is a good alternative to wood and helps to prevent deforestation. During production, glue and chemical agents do not need to be added. Furthermore, the production is CO2 neutral. It is inexpensive. The glue that has to be added when boards based on wood fibre are made contributes to one third of the total production costs.

Ecovon believe that there is a better way of making building materials. That is why we are focusing our energy on completely rethinking and re-designing how the new generation of building materials is made. Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet Coconut husk has the highest lignin content of any known plant and this helps the raw material to bind into a hard board without the addition of any damaging glue or binder. Due to its strength the board has the potential to be used for structural elements in buildings. It also has natural anti-fungal properties and burns three times slower than wood. The method is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The residual material of the coconut is used in its entirety. It is a good alternative to wood and helps to prevent deforestation. During production, glue and chemical agents do not need to be added. Furthermore, the production is CO2 neutral. It is inexpensive. The glue that has to be added when boards based on wood fibre are made contributes to one third of the total production costs. Glue is not required to process coconut husk into board material

Ecovon will bring the first non-additive, bio-based, renewable wood product to market which is naturally flame retardant and anti-fungal without added binders (glues). The physical properties are better than comparable engineered woods on the market currently, all which use additives and heavy chemicals to reach additional flame retardant properties while reducing our CO2 footprint, deforestation and enriching the lives of locals in coconut and sugarcane producing developing countries such as Ghana. The board material has been shown to exhibit excellent properties, which are comparable with or even superior to commercial wood based panels. Our product is stronger and more durable, priced considerably less, and greener

Ecovon will generate wealth and employment/jobs for individuals in rural and urban areas of Ghana at the initial stages of the value chain, mostly youth and women, who will collect, sort and clean coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse for production. By the 3rd year of operation, Ecovon aims to create 100 direct and over 500 indirect jobs. The company aim to create a ―new wood‖ industry from coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse creating value-add for the poorest rural farmers (Bottom of the pyramid) while reducing CO2 emissions and deforestation. Ecovon will also produce cheap alternative building materials for low income earners and poor rural farmers in the country

Ecovon Plan for coming five years is to withdraw over 2 million kilograms of coconut husk and bagasse from the environment and use them to manufacture fibreboards and save an estimated 500 acres of forest (based on calculations by the Canadian Forestry Association). Coconut husk and sugarcane bagasse recycling also saves 2.5 kg CO2/kg coconut husk and bagasse hence we will be preventing 2,500,000 kg of CO2 emissions further mitigating climate change.

Lack of technical equipment and factory set up to start commercial production
 Inadequate technical and managerial staff

Financial problem

The strategy of Ecovon currently to overcome financial barriers is applying for competitions and grants from Incubation centres to finance our operations. In 2018 Ecovon was incubated in the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre and we had proof of concept grant to support our initiative and as well had another grant from UNDP/Tony Elumelu Foundation program in 2018. These has been the contemporary measures taken to overcome financial barriers of Ecovon. In the near future and during commercialization stage Ecovon will look for venture capitalists, corporate investors and other form of investment to accelerate operations and producton

Ecovon will also plough back the profit that will be generated the sales of the high medium density boards and low medium density boards in to the business or the company to undertake operational expenses and as well expand production

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There are four full time staff in the company currently

The team comprises of three peoples who have in-depth knowledge in business management and administration. Their details are highlighted below including their role
BRENYA ISAAC, Team Leader/CEO, holds BSc Planning from University for Development Studies in Ghana.
ALEX OBENG, Team Member/Technical Officer, holds BSc Mechanical Engineering from KNUST in Ghana.
MICHAEL OBANAH, Team Member/Finance Officer, holds BA Integrated Business Studies specialized in Accounting from University for Development Studies in Ghana

Ghana Climate Innovation Centre. They are incubation centre that are providing us with technical support, funding and mentorship

Ecovon are developing sustainably sourced, newly engineered wood made from coconut husk and sugar cane bagasse, supplying the global market with a formaldehyde-free bio-based wood alternative that are better for people and planet. The low medium density boards will be sold for $4 per 4ft by 8ft board and high medium density board will also be sold at $8 per 4ft by 8ft board

Ecovon is at prototyping stage and it needs an amount of $50,000 to start small scale production. This amount of investment will enable Ecovon to start production and also assist Ecovon to cover the time between first costs and revenue from sales.The low medium density boards will be sold for $4 per 4ft by 8ft board

Ecovon is at prototyping stage and it needs an amount of $50,000 to start small scale production. This amount of investment will enable Ecovon to start production and also assist Ecovon to cover the time between first costs and revenue from sales. Ecovon will need and an investment of $300,000- $500,000 during its commercialization stage

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ECOR, They are company based in Netherlands who are in to production of biodegradable packaging and building materials from waste

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This prize will enable Ecovon who is at prototyping stage to start small scale production. This amount of investment will enable Ecovon to buy hydraulic pressing machine and the milling machine needed to start production and also assist Ecovon to cover the time between first costs and revenue from sales

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